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One of the major issues during this week’s NFL labor negotiations is a non-issue for one player whose bank account will be affected.

Niners rookie linebacker Aldon Smith, the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL draft, said he’s not worried about the implications of a rookie wage scale.

ESPN reported today that the NFL’s owners and players agreed to a compensation scale in which first-round picks will likely be paid significantly less than their predecessors. For example, Browns cornerback Joe Haden, the No. 7 pick in the 2010 draft, received a five-year, $50 million deal, with $26 million guaranteed.

Smith’s annual salary? It could be about half of what Haden will earn.

Asked if there was any bitterness about the timing of his entrance into the NFL, Smith shook his head.

“Not really,” he said following a workout at San Jose State today. “I was getting paid 800-some dollars a month in college for a scholarship check. So as long as I’m getting paid more than that, I’ll be fine.”

Smith, 21, stressed that his focus is on preparing for his first season.

He moved to the Bay Area in late June and has been working out regularly with a group of 49ers defensive players at SJSU. Among that group is veteran defensive end Justin Smith, 31, whose freshman sack record Smith broke at Missouri.

The pair have forged a teacher-student bond and Justin Smith, a tireless worker who has started 155 consecutive games, said he’s been struck by the 6-foot-4, 263-pound rookie’s humility and work ethic.

“He’s come in and he hasn’t been like ‘Hey, I’m the seventh pick’ or anything like that,” Smith said. “He hops right in, gets in line and works … Everything I’ve seen, he’s just a football guy. He definitely looks the part. I think he’ll do a tremendous job out there. If you’re willing to work, you’re going to have success if you have all the physical attributes. And he definitely has that. I don’t see why he won’t have a great year.”

Smith, who will transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker, said his goal is to make an immediate impact, despite missing offseason OTAs and minicamps due to the lockout.

He has some control over his performance. His paycheck? There’s not much he can do about that.

“I know there’s been a lot of talk about changing the way rookies get paid,” he said. “But, honestly, it is what it is and I’m just going to focus on working hard and being successful.”

– Justin Smith made a pitch for the 49ers to re-sign nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, an unrestricted free agent who is expected to receive plenty of attention — and cash — on the open market.

“I don’t see how you can’t bring him back,” Smith said. “But that’s front-office stuff. That’s just me being a little selfish because he definitely helps in there.”

– And if Franklin signs elsewhere? Smith could envision a scenario in which defensive end Isaac Sopoaga moves inside and Ray McDonald assumes Sopoaga’s spot.

“Ray’s a disruptive force in there,” Smith said. “I’m hoping they bring him back for sure. I think he definitely has the ability. Just from me guessing, that’s kind of what I see they’d have to do if Aubrayo leaves in free agency.”